AARP Hearing Center
Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna discuss the honor of cohosting Washington, DC's National Memorial Day Concert this year, which is also the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Key takeaways
- Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna cohost the National Memorial Day Concert, honoring military heroes’ sacrifices.
- They use heartfelt storytelling to deepen public appreciation for veterans and their families’ courage.
- Their dedication highlights the enduring importance of remembering service members across generations.
Summary
Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna honor military heroes as cohosts of Washington, DC’s National Memorial Day Concert, a powerful event that pays tribute to the sacrifices of service members and their families. Marking the nation’s 250th anniversary alongside significant milestones like Pearl Harbor’s 85th and September 11’s 25th anniversaries, the concert brings poignant stories and heartfelt music to the forefront, reminding the nation of the courage and resilience that preserve its freedom.
Through their heartfelt storytelling and public presence, Sinise and Mantegna highlight the importance of remembering and celebrating those who serve. Their dedication to sharing veterans’ experiences and shining a light on the sacrifices made encourages a collective appreciation that transcends generations, reinforcing why honoring our military remains a vital part of American history and culture.
Full Transcript:
[00:00:00] Gary Sinise: We want those that are serving and being deployed, uh, currently to know that, uh, the nation, uh, supports them.
[00:00:08] Joe Mantegna: Everybody’s got a story, and I’'m just honored to be one of those kind of the mouthpieces to kind of s- spread the word.
[00:00:23There is no closure. There’s a hole in my heart, and we’ll never forget.
[00:00:31]That first concert I did in 2002 had such an impact on me. You have to remember, that’s the concert right after 9/11, so that thing had such,
[00:00:39] such a significant impact on me, that when I walked off the stage after that concert in 2002, my legs were wobbly.
[00:00:46] And I remember saying, “I’ll, I’ll, I’ll participate in any other way, if ever you want me to do this again.” But I said, “But there’s another person.
[00:00:53] I’m basically the wingman for this other guy, and this guy is Gary Sinise.” I said, “Brother, let’s host this thing together.” Gary Sinise: You’re a great wingman.
[00:01:02] Joe Mantegna: Well, whatever. I’m, I’m, I’m happy to fly in that formation, my friend. Gary Sinise: Somebody like me has to come forward and
[00:01:22] tell their story. We can go out there and talk about the people that we’ve met, people who’ve done some pretty incredible things.
[00:01:30] I meet people, grieving families. I meet wounded service members in the hospitals.
[00:01:35] So I, I think that’s one of the things that Joe and I probably, um, like about
[00:01:41] being in the public eye, is that we can go out there and share those stories. And, uh, I would say for all of them, having those stories be shared is
[00:01:50] something very positive for each of them. Through Joe, I got to meet Charlie Durning. Joe Mantegna: The same guy that you saw in Tootsie.
[00:01:58] Gary Sinise: And I remember Joe and I standing up there, watching Charlie do the rehearsal and blow us all away, telling his story of hitting the beach at Normandy
[00:02:07] and fighting his way into Germany, and liberating one of the concentration camps.
[00:02:13] Charlie Durning: I was the second man off my barge, and the first and third man got killed.
[00:02:18] Joe Mantegna: And that’s the Charlie that the public, m- most of the public didn’t know about. We were privileged as, as actors to walk among heroes.
[00:02:30] Gary Sinise: Obviously, it’s a big anniversary for the country, and they’re going to take us back in time a little bit on the concert, acknowledging
[00:02:36] that and the 250 years in existence. Joe Mantegna: Also, for the 85th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the
[00:02:42] 25th anniversary of September 11. Obviously, these are two anniversaries that- are, uh, important to our history.
[00:02:52] I tell you, the one moment that always gets me is, is when they play the songs for each branch of the service.
[00:02:59] You can see it on their faces. They’ve got that look of pride, and that’s the moment every year, the
[00:03:05] one that I always look forward to. Gary Sinise: That’s what the National Memorial Day Concert is all about, is remembering and honoring and celebrating and saluting and appreciating, you know.
[00:03:18] And never taking for granted what it takes to keep us free.
